Acute pesticide poisoning in Ecuador: a short epidemiological report

Abstract

Aim The aim of this paper is to analyze the epidemiological pattern, the occupational background and the public health problems of acute pesticide poisoning in Ecuador. This is the first report of its kind. Subjects and methods This was an observational and retrospective study performed with data from 2001 to 2007 from the National Register of Hospital Admissions/Discharges from the Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas y Censos, and also with data from the Ministry of Public Health. Ecuador does not have an official public medical poisoning registry or disease-specific registries. Results The complete register reported 44,931 cases of poisoning with an average of 6,418 cases per year and a global progressive increase of 2,123 cases in the entire period. It reported 14,145 cases of pesticide poisoning. Of these, 10,100 cases were due to the effects of the insecticides organophospate and carbamate. The number of cases by gender was 7,102 (50.21%) males and 7,043 (49.79%) females. The major age group affected was adolescents and young adults. Conclusion In Ecuador, pesticide poisoning occurs in individuals of both sexes who are between 15 to 25 years old and work in adverse conditions as agricultural farmers. The poisoning especially occurs in flower and banana plantation workers throughout the country. Seventy-one percent of the cases are due to organophosphate and carbamate poisonings, which cause death in 4% of the cases; 57% die in the first 48 h, possibly because of the acute action of AChE inhibitors. The long-term effects of pesticides are still unclear and need further research.

Lower acetylcholinesterase activity among children living with flower plantation workers

“…According to the National Institute of Censuses and Statistics of Ecuador, between 2001 and 2007 there were 14,145 pesticide poisonings, most commonly associated with work in the banana and fresh-cut flower industries. Seventy-one percent of the poisonings were due to cholinesterase-inhibiting pesticides (organophosphates and carbamates) (González-Andrade et al, 2010). The floricultural industry concomitantly uses various types of insecticides, fungicides and herbicides; among these, the most commonly used pesticides in the industry are organophosphate and carbamate insecticides (Castelnuovo et al, 2000; Harari, 2004; Paz-y-Mino et al, 2002).…”

Persistent Left Ventricular Dysfunction in a Teenager with Yellow Phosphorous Poisoning

“…Early cardiovascular collapse has been attributed to fluid and electrolyte loss due to persistent vomiting in addition to cardio toxicity [9][10][11]. Our patient manifested with hypotension, tachycardia and acute pulmonary edema as a consequence of LV failure.…”

A comparative study of integrated pest management strategies based on impulsive control

“…In addition to these on-site crop problems produced by the overuse of pesticides, their negative impact extended beyond the agricultural framework, causing damage to water sources and further ecosystems, as well as posing serious human health hazards due to e.g. pesticide residuals in food and pesticide exposition [5,10].…”